Zephyrhills prison guard admits stealing inmate IDs

TAMPA — A Zephyrhills Correctional Institution officer faces up to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty Wednesday to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft charges, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

An indictment in May accused Jerry St. Fleur, 26 of Tampa, of using the identities of five inmates last year to file fraudulent claims for tax refunds totaling $14,274. Prosecutors said that, overall, he filed some 182 fraudulent income tax returns for more than $500,000.

St. Fleur had been a correctional officer for the state since Aug. 24, 2007.

There is a reason why the air in Tampa Bay is filled with playoff talk. If Thursday night's 12-8 Bucs preseason win over the Jaguars is any indication, it's also going to be filled with footballs thrown by quarterback Jameis Winston.